Uti turned to Novan, her head was already covered by a helmet, and the motorcycle was already warmed up. "Van, I'm going home first?"
"Yes, don't speed, you have to be careful, you just have to get home safely." Novan raised his hand and waved.
"Yes, I'll be careful on the road."
With an attentive gaze, and a smile that didn't leave his lips, Novan didn't look away from a girl who had just come out through his gate riding a motorcycle. Of course it was Uti, who was heading home after spending a few hours with Novan.
After Uti's departure, Novan let out a long sigh, now that his house was quiet again. Novan entered the house again, then cleaned up the things that were still scattered around. Earlier, before Uti had said goodbye, the girl had wanted to clean the dirty floor, but Novan had forbidden her to do so. Novan didn't want Uti to get tired, he was so insistent that Uti chose to give in.
Novan then returned the glass and teapot to the kitchen, and put the remaining half of the brownie in the refrigerator. After that, Novan returned with a broom in his hand. He started cleaning the floor.
You see, Novan often cleans. There used to be a maid, but now there is no more. Novan was used to this. He didn't mind, he was happy to do it at all.
While he was cleaning, suddenly his cell phone lying in front of the table rang, which Novan hurriedly picked up because it was from his father. It must be something important.
"Hello, Dad?" Novan pointed the flat object towards his ear, he did so while sweeping.
"Novan, I have something to say to you." Jonas started to speak, and Novan listened carefully.
"What do you want to say?" Novan asked. If it was over the phone like this, it was a sign that what he wanted to say couldn't be done at home. Novan waited for Jonas to answer his question.
First, Novan heard a rough sigh. "I don't think I can come home tonight, Novan."
"Oh, you haven't finished your business yet, huh?"
"Yes, there's still a lot that needs to be done. I'm calling you to tell you about this."
Novan nodded in understanding. "Okay, Dad."
"Yes, you don't have to wait for me to come home."
"Hm."
"When I'm done, I'll come home as soon as possible. But I don't think I can make it tonight at all."
"It doesn't matter, the important thing is that I'm okay, okay? I have to take care of myself."
"Okay, I know what I have to do. I'll take care of myself, and you need that at home too."
"I will."
"I really want to go home with you, but I'm sorry, I really can't."
"No problem, I will be fine at home. As for dinner, I will place a delivery order as usual. You don't have to worry at all."
Novan didn't mind anything, he was fine with it. But Novan knew one thing, Jonas himself was the one who often felt bad. In fact, Novan often warned him that he was perfectly fine being left alone. Novan was still considered a child by Jonas.
"Alright, I can't stay long, so I'll hang up. I'll let you know when I'm going home."
"Okay."
Then the line went dead, just as Novan finished sweeping the floor. Tonight, he would be alone at home again, just like the long nights before. Novan was used to it, there was nothing to be afraid of.
After this, Novan wanted to spend the afternoon at the swimming pool behind his house. Novan didn't know what else to do, and swimming would probably make him happy. But before that, Novan had to put the results of his and Uti's group project into his room first, just to be safe.
Uti arrived home safe and sound, it was getting late in the afternoon. Uti then approached her grandmother, who was sitting on a long chair on the porch of her house.
Uti smiled as she saw her grandmother looking healthier. Uti was happy, and her heart warmed.
"Where have you been? Just back from school, right?"
Uti laughed lightly at her grandmother's lighthearted question. The girl sat next to a frail old woman with completely white hair. With her wrinkled face, her grandmother looked at Uti's face.
"No, grandma, today is a red date, school is closed." Uti replied, still half chuckling. She held her grandmother's hand tightly.
"Is it a red date?"
"He'em."
"I don't know, I don't go to school, so my days are the same, nothing changes." In fact, she was now able to laugh, luckily, her fall from the bed hadn't caused her to fall ill for too long. "Where did we end up?"
"A friend's house, a group project."
"I see." Grandma moved her head up and down.
"Are you feeling well, Grandma? Doesn't anything hurt anymore?"
"My back still hurts when I walk, but it's getting better. Thanks to the doctor's medicine."
"Then you have to be more careful from now on."
"Yes, have you showered yet?"
"Not yet." Uti grinned softly, her eyes narrowing slightly as she did so. Her teeth were also showing.
"Well, go take a shower. While the water is still hot, it's fresh. Grandma just took a shower."
"Yes, Grandma, I am also going to take a shower soon. Don't you want to come in?"
"I want to stay here first."
"If you want to come in, let Uti help you."
"I don't need one; I can walk by myself with a cane. You don't have to worry about me. I'm already healthy."
Uti nodded and stroked the back of her hand with her thumb. Uti loved her grandmother.
"Alright, Grandma, I go in first." I want to put my bag first, then take a shower."
"Yes, I just want to sit here." After saying goodbye, Uti really wanted to take a shower.
The girl was now out of her room and about to enter the bathroom. As usual, Susan was in the kitchen at this hour. Busy taking care of the cooking as usual.
"Uh, are you home yet?"
Uti, who was about to enter the bathroom, paused her steps, choosing to approach her mother. The girl smiled, "I already did, Mom; just now, i want to take a shower."
"Oh yes, take a shower, it's late afternoon too."
"Do you need help?"
"Ah, no. I can still handle my own cooking. You better take a shower."
"Okay mom."
Uti skipped off to the bathroom, washing her sticky, sweaty body. Then, the thought of her falling right on top of Novan's firm chest succeeded in making both of Uti's cheeks blush, and the girl hastily dismissed the wild thought. Shaking her head vigorously, Uti had to forget about it.
"Why do I even remember it? It's not important, it's something I didn't mean to do," Uti grumbled under her breath, before rinsing her body with the water collected in the green, love-shaped dipper. Hopefully, this thought will soon be completely washed away by the flowing water.